Dear Mother of “J.”: I cannot tell how poignantly I am stirred by the letter you wrote the Grapevine about your alcoholic son. Just ten years ago my own mother, after years of frantic bewilderment, lost hope. Long a chronic problem drinker, I had come to the jumping-off place. A very good doctor had pronouncedContinue reading “Letter To The Mother Of An Alcoholic – Language Of The Heart By Bill W 1944”
Category Archives: Grandiosity
A New Way Of Looking At Life – Grapevine Article April 1981 By D.J.
ONE AFTERNOON a few months ago, I found myself reviewing the story of AA co-founder Bill W.’s encounter with cosmic consciousness in Towns Hospital. I had come across a well-detailed account of the incident and had not proceeded far into it before I began to experience feelings of envy. After all, I reasoned, why shouldn’tContinue reading “A New Way Of Looking At Life – Grapevine Article April 1981 By D.J.”
Sassy Pearls Of Wisdom – Grapevine Article October 2015 By Wendy L.
If minding one’s own business can work for the group, then it might work for her as well TRADITION TEN: Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. When I sat down at my very first meeting, I was four days sober and miserableContinue reading “Sassy Pearls Of Wisdom – Grapevine Article October 2015 By Wendy L.”
Humility 7th Step – Twelve & Twelve Pages 70 thru 76
The attainment of greater humility is the foundation principle of each of A.A.’ s Twelve Steps. …Without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all. Nearly all A.A.’ s have found, too, that unless they develop much more of this precious quality than may be required just for sobriety, they still haven’tContinue reading “Humility 7th Step – Twelve & Twelve Pages 70 thru 76”
What And Who We Really Are – Grapevine Article October 1991 By John W.
I have now experienced nearly eight good years of continuously sober and active membership in the Fellowship of AA. Never during this time have I hesitated to express my heartfelt gratitude for the program and the many positive (and necessary) changes it has helped make possible in my life–a life including many years of active,Continue reading “What And Who We Really Are – Grapevine Article October 1991 By John W.”
Happiness Comes Quietly – Daily Reflection January 17th
When we examine what we demand and what we desire to possess, we have a great starting point for revealing our self-centered fears that may be unconscious and in need of healing. This can be a tremendous aid in our 4th step inventory. Click on the links to demands in this meditation to understand thisContinue reading “Happiness Comes Quietly – Daily Reflection January 17th”
Welcome Criticism – As Bill Sees It #326
Thanks much for your letter of criticism. I’m certain that had it not been for its strong critics, A.A. would have made slower progress. For myself, I have come to set a high value on the people who have criticized me, whether they have seemed reasonable critics or unreasonable ones. Both have often restrained meContinue reading “Welcome Criticism – As Bill Sees It #326”
Positively Negative – Grapevine Article April 1973 by Dick H.
On the last page of the Big Book text, we are given the reminder that one of our objectives in this ongoing day a time twelve step process is to remain teachable with what one might describe as a beginner’s mind with this quote ‘ we realize we know only a little’. This article belowContinue reading “Positively Negative – Grapevine Article April 1973 by Dick H.”
The Broken Pulley – Grapevine Article June 1992 By Mel B.
Some years ago, I realized that much of the great staying power of the AA program is wrapped up in Step Ten: “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.” In my opinion, this Step suggests the daily practice of Steps Four through Nine and is designed to keep usContinue reading “The Broken Pulley – Grapevine Article June 1992 By Mel B.”
What Prevents Us From Learning From Our Mistakes – Keep It Simple October 9th
A man should never be ashamed to own he was in the wrong.—Jonathan Swift In the past, we felt a mistake was a crisis. We thought we had a to be perfect. Our old ways was to try to hide our mistakes. We were ashamed. We thought making mistakes meant we were bad. Mistakes areContinue reading “What Prevents Us From Learning From Our Mistakes – Keep It Simple October 9th”